stephen R Harrison

Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house. Too much of you, and he will hate you. – Proverbs 25:17

A pesky neighbor can be very challenging. When my wife and I were first married, we lived in a duplex apartment and shared a wall with neighbors who loved to vacuum at 2 AM. What compounded this nuisance was their desire to practice the trombone in the early morning hours as well. I responded by playing my trumpet. That might not have been the best move on my part, but it caused them to stop for a couple of weeks. The neighbors in our first house were also very loud, but it stemmed from their fighting. They yelled nonstop and sometimes threw stuff at our dog. I witnessed her chasing him with a wrench once as I was putting Christmas lights on my roof. Not long after that, I called the police on him after she showed up at our doorstep, bruised and crying. That was definitely not a nuisance but an opportunity to minister. In our second home, our neighbor’s rottweilers kept getting out of their shock-collar fence. One of them knocked our young daughter over. While I considered them friends, their dogs were a problem for a few months until they decided to rehome them. 

It’s one thing to have a bad neighbor. It’s another thing to be one. In Proverbs 25, Solomon warns against being a bad neighbor. To treat our neighbors, we must first ask some essential questions. Who is our neighbor? According to Jesus in the parable of the Good Samaritan, anyone in need can be our neighbor. After the expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” to justify his heart’s desire to overlook those he didn’t want to love, Jesus responded by providing a parable about loving and serving everyone. He then said, “Go and do likewise” (Matthew 10:25-37). Someone said, “Not everyone can be your brother or sister in the faith, but everyone is your neighbor, and you must love your neighbor”. How we are to love our neighbor is another question we must answer. Jesus said we are to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). We should love our neighbor as God loves them. Loving God and loving our neighbors go together.

Solomon gave us insight on how to be a good neighbor. We should not argue over petty issues with our neighbors. Constantly doing this gives us a bad reputation (Proverbs 25:9-10). My neighbor once had an argument about our property line. He planted bushes right on the line, and it appeared some of his shop was built on the line. I never had an issue with it, but when he asked, I simply said, “It doesn’t bother me. It may bother the next owner.” I could have argued my case and legally had him move everything. A building is harder to move than bushes. I chose the route that would lead to having a good relationship and witness for Christ with my neighbor. 

Solomon also says we should not lie about our neighbors (18). This includes gossip, slander, and many other ways of giving false testimony against them. Remember, my neighbor is anyone I meet. So, lying about the store clerk, running down the delivery driver, and badmouthing the police officer who pulled us over count towards being neighborly. Most of the time, we lie to make ourselves look better than someone else. Solomon says lying about your neighbor is like a club, sword, or sharp arrow. These are all weapons used to harm or kill. Our words can murder and destroy the people around us. We must not use our words to hurt others but be a blessing in our speech.

Solomon also warned about seeking revenge against our neighbors (20:22). We must not take justice into our own hands, but remember the Lord repays people for their actions (Romans 12:19-21). When you look at the verses surrounding the ones about being a good neighbor, it’s plain to see how our character and actions affect how we treat people. Solomon warns against boasting (6), unfaithfulness (19), and slick talk (23) and counsels us to give timely words (7), trustworthy messages (13), and gentle speech (15) to everyone. Proverbs 25 men use their words to bless, not curse, their neighbors. 

Questions to Ponder

1. What evidence would someone give of you being a good neighbor?
2. How has your character affected how you view your neighbors?
3. What verse stands out the most to you?
4. What other questions came to mind?

Actions to Take

1. List ways you can serve those in your neighborhood.
2. If you have a division with a neighbor, what steps should you take to reconcile your relationship?

Scriptures to Read

Proverbs 3:30, 20:22, 24:28-29

Prayers to Pray

Jesus, help me be a good neighbor. I pray my actions and words towards everyone I meet are loving, kind, and generous. Keep malicious talk far from my lips. May I be quick to forgive, overlook petty issues, and extend your grace. I desire to pray and think the best for my neighbors. Jesus, bless my neighbors. Show me how to love and view others like you would. In Jesus’ name, Amen.